Seven mental health tips for the holidays

The holidays, Christmas and New Year can be a stressful time but following our top seven tips for taking care for yourself can help you enjoy the holiday season.

Balance staying connected with ‘me-time’. It is important to stay connected with loved ones over the busy season, but don’t over-do it. Know your limits and know when to take time out for yourself. Conversely, if you’re prone to isolating yourself, be sure to schedule time with family and friends to keep connected.

Stick to a budget. Planning ahead and sticking to your budget can help you prevent unexpected financial stress when the festive seasons quietens down. Consider setting a price limit per present or get creative and make your own.

Everything in moderation. Yes it’s the season to be jolly, but don’t over-do it. Plan your day to ensure there is balance of food, exercise and sleep.

Look forward. It’s easy to get stuck thinking about the negatives in the past year, particularly if you’ve experienced difficult times. Try to focus your attention on the positives that were gained and the opportunities ahead.

Do good for others. Helping others is good for you. Volunteer your time at a charity or help a neighbour out. Helping others is proven to improve your mood, balance perspective and increase self-esteem.

Reach out. Remember you are not alone. Check in with your own support system regularly, or contact one of the many support services available. You can also make an admission enquiry with our hospital to find out how we can help you.

About the Author

Cindy has been the Director of Nursing since 2014, following roles as the hospital’s Deputy Director of Nursing and as a nurse unit manager. Cindy has strong involvement in the improvement of our services including revision of nursing care practice and the introduction of the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) service.

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